BUSINESS-leaders fear their town will suffer economically, with congestion and pollution, as more trains use a level crossing.

The Bicester Chamber of Commerce has said an alternative is needed to the London Road crossing, to avoid having to stop traffic – which they say would be 'highly detrimental' to the town centre.

It comes after the latest update from Network Rail revealed that options to tackle the expected frequency of trains at London Road level crossing includes a bridge up to £65 or a tunnel up to £44m.

Bicester Commerce chairman Peter Cox said: "The impact, due to the frequency of service or closure, upon alternative traffic routes will result in pro-longed journey times, businesses losing productivity and efficiency, increased pollution due to carbon and nitrous oxide production and additional stress for residents and businesses alike.

"During the prolonged temporary closure, feedback from businesses and residents indicated closing the crossing would have a highly detrimental impact upon the town centre, the attractiveness of the town to businesses as a place to move to or use as a base for starting up."

For years, traffic chiefs have been looking at a solutions to help alleviate traffic build-up in London Road as the line through Oxford, Bicester and London Marylebone gets busier.

Concerns surround the length of time the crossing will be closed once East West Rail opens its new line between Bicester, Milton Keynes and Bedford.

Network Rail conducted a survey from April 14-20 and found the crossing barriers were down for an average of three hours and 10 minutes every day.

It also found the average time for the barriers to be down per train was 2.58 minutes.

The company did not comment on the expected growth in train frequency, but previously said the core proposal from both companies from 2019 was to have space for 12 trains to pass London Road level crossing every hour.

With an estimated three minutes per train to pass the crossing with extra time given to freight trains this equals about 40 minutes every hour.

Mr Cox added: "While it is obviously upsetting for owners of property likely to be directly affected by any scheme, should access to the town, via the London Road, be changed then the sustainability of the town centre becomes questionable.

"An alternative that delivers reliable access to, and egress from, the south east corner of the town must be delivered soon and without fail."

Network Rail said that Oxfordshire County Council was leading the feasibility study and was working with the council on a future highway plan for Bicester.

It added: "Network Rail continues to work closely with Oxfordshire County Council to find a solution for the level crossing at London Road, Bicester. All options are being considered, however no decision has been made."